A ZIP LINE DRESS & a giveaway

Aside from resting my iron on my designers curve ruler when I thought it was on the cradle and thinking as my sewing room smelled funny “that old iron of mine has finally bit the dust” (hint: it had, because I was, at that moment, melting a ruler with it) my daughter’s dress was a lot of fun to make.

I was given a Franklin Dress pattern by Brooklyn Pattern Company and asked to use the theme TOYS. That pattern is a sweet dress with lots of beautiful details. The dress isn’t typical but still has a familiar, cozy and roomy feel.

I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that my daughter loves zip lines and makes them for her toys. For this project I made a denim dress that has subtle polka dots, a colorful bias tape neckline, and a tiny stuffed animal zip line. I chose a simple comfy fabric, and a sleeve change to suit this daughter (though I have a fancier Franklin cut out for next week with the original adorable puff sleeve and pleated bodice to suit her sister). We have had these little stuffed animals for a while now. Using a silk cording and hook and eyes I created an interactive dress that allows her favorite tiny animals to zip line across the dress.

And now my sewing secret… The buttons are sewed on and nonfuctional at the moment, with snaps underneath. As my sewing machine instructor taught me when I got my new machine, I made practice buttonholes. I practiced on scraps and interfacing (thank goodness) but it chewed the fabric and almost wouldn’t spit it back out. That function on my machine hasn’t been quite right since I broke a needle a couple of weeks ago.

The pattern is a PDF and the pieces went together smoothly. The notches allow for accurate assembly. The instructions with the pattern are simple and clear, but if you are a beginner make sure to use Erin’s sew along! For more Franklin dress inspiration, here is a link to every post about the Franklin dress on Brooklyn Pattern’s blog. If I find a pattern I like I will make it more than once and in several ways. I am dreaming up new ways to make this pattern and love Erin’s flutter sleeve I spied on her Instagram. I am eager to sew more her other patterns too!

After emailing with Erin I asked if she could share a bit about her self.

SC: Why do you sew?

EKP: I sew for a lot of reasons. For a career. For a hobby. For relaxation. I really love the feeling of a finished product in my hand. It’s a fantastic feeling to see a dress you made on stage or your daughter running wild in one of your creations. That feeling extends to all crafts so I find myself constantly trying new things to satisfy that love. I’m knitting more, taking pottery classes and delving into screen printing.

SC: What was the inspiration for the Franklin dress?

EKP: The Franklin dress is inspired by the streets of Brooklyn. The vibe in BK right now is really relaxed and anything goes. Simple, fun, classic. I wanted to design a dress that could move with kids and either dress up or dress down depending on the fabric. The Franklin should be able to grow with the child as her tastes and height changes.

SC: What is next for Brooklyn Pattern?

EKP: I’ve got my hands in a lot of things right now including freelancing in theatre again. I’m working on a women’s version of the Henry dress and a few children’s patterns for the summer and fall.

Comment on this post to win a pattern & fabric combo made in heaven: the Franklin dress by Brooklyn Patterns and one yard of fabric from Miss Matatabi. A Nani Iro Franklin dress would be drop dead gorgeous, but what about using Cotton & Steel? Or Kokka? That polka dot rabbit print would be pretty perfect for a spring dress….

Enter by Wednesday Feb 24. This giveaway is open to international entries, void where prohibited by law. Winner will receive 1 digital patterns from Brooklyn Patterns and 1 yard of fabric from Miss Matatabi. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Oh, that incident with the iron and the ruler could so have been me! I’m very careful and pay attention to the tiniest details – about 95% of the time. During the other 5% I make up for being so perfectionist (some say pedantic) by really messing up things lol
I don’t take my eyes off the sewing machine while I’m sewing – except for that one time I looked up … and sewed right through my finger. Ouch.
I double check – or triple check – the layout of pattern pieces before cutting into fabric. Unless I’ve placed one pattern piece in the wrong direction, then I’m pretty sure to be happily cutting into the expensive stuff right away…